US Fencers for Change: Where did they get these solutions?

[fencinginDC]

The election of Officers at the USFA carries much more significance, at least under the current structure. For the most part, the Executive Committee of the Board is substantially responsible for decision making throughout the year, and the EC is largely directed by the Officers.

As I noted, in considerable detail, the current structure does not lend itself to a strong Board. I don't know this for a fact, but my understanding is that most of the proposals on which the Board (and the EC) votes are generated through Committee recommendations, or by individual USFA members. Anybody can make a proposal by following the appropriate steps, although it's not likely to win approval unless it has been well thought out, and discussed with members of the Board/EC beforehand. Otherwise it will end up in "tabled for further consideration" hell.

I have voiced some very specific opinions about structure, but there are lots of people (some not even on f.net *gasp*) who are more qualified to recommend a structure. How that structure is passed is a different matter but, ultimately, it is passes when the value in doing so is overwhemlingly clear. It would be done in the form of a change to the By-Laws, which is a pretty big deal. I hope the organization has matured to the point when it is ready to take that step, even if it is a little scary.

My point was that we are electing the officers, not the BoD. They are two separate entities, each with different responsibilites. The officers do have seats on the Board, but the Board is a much larger group of people than just the six officers.

arc's original point was that the new officers need to understand how to present proposals to the BoD and how to work with them to get those proposals approved and implemented.

Dan

[ivlobane]

..snip...Executive Committee of the Board is substantially responsible for decision making throughout the year, and the EC is largely directed by the Officers.

As I noted, in considerable detail, the current structure does not lend itself to a strong Board. ...snip... Otherwise it will end up in "tabled for further consideration" hell....

Like what happened to askFRED I guess. And how how Massik's office allegedly made the USFA follow his silent policy of stifling growth...